Church Limited In Search For Permanent Location

HALLANDALE — In this city, which desperately wants to lure businesses to increase the tax base, it matters a great deal where a house of worship opens its doors.

So officials are pushing for an ordinance to regulate where religious organizations can operate.

Although the proposed law has not even been drafted, Missione Senta Nueva already has felt its impact. On July 1, the Christian congregation, which has been in the community for nine years, was denied permission to open a church in the city's fashion district.

``I believe that the city doesn't want churches because churches are tax-exempt,'' said Christian Mendoza, the congregation's secretary.

Mendoza said the church risks losing the $25,000 it deposited on the 32,000-square-foot structure, which contains 26 storefronts and a side building.

The $700,000 structure is on Northeast Second Avenue, between Third and Fifth streets.

In addition to the church, there would be a day-care center, space for youth activities and a grocery store, Pastor Jose Ortiz said.

``The Spanish population is growing so fast here,'' Ortiz said. ``If we buy this place, we're going to bring a lot of business to Hallandale.''

Only five of the building's storefronts are occupied. The tenants said they don't want a church near their businesses, which specialize in clothing and accessories.

``Personally, I wouldn't care, but my customers may,'' said Janice Davidowitz of Robert's Handbags. ``We need people with businesses. We need stores, not a church.''

``Can't they find another place?'' asked Rosa Levy of Flory Fashion, who has been a tenant for 14 years. ``That's going to spoil our business.''

Christy Dominguez, a city planning official, said regulation is being considered because there have been several inquiries from congregations interested in operating storefront churches.

The city, home to about 30 churches, recently ordered a church to close because it was operating in a business district without permission.

Commissioners on June 23 authorized planning officials to prepare the ordinance, which would create building and fire inspection fees for new churches.

Mark Kutney, the city's growth management director, said the ordinance would ban new churches in shopping plazas, malls and the fashion row district.

He said the proposed law would not affect existing churches that comply with current code laws.

Davie has an ordinance that requires houses of worship to be at least 2,500 feet from one another.

Last year, Davie denied two churches permission to move to the area. One request was rejected because town officials wanted a tax-paying business on the 12-acre site where the church wanted to move. The other was rejected after residents voiced concerns about traffic and noise.

Bob Mikes, a Dania commissioner, said there are more than 40 churches in his city and he objects to cities regulating where churches can operate.

``I would never support something like that,'' Mikes said. ``We often do things that may not be legal. But because they've never been challenged, they have become laws.''

Ortiz said his congregation is losing members because it does not have a regular place to meet.

The congregation conducts Bible studies in a southwest Hallandale house that the church tried to buy. But city laws prevent churches from operating in a building erected on less than one acre of land in a residential district.

``It is very painful,'' Ortiz said. ``They close every door on us. They don't allow us to lease or rent a storefront.''